Rome police defend actions
06 Apr 2007 - 10:32:41
Rome's prefect of police Achille Serra has defended the actions of his officers during clashes between AS Roma and Manchester United fans in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final at the Stadio Olimpico.
Serra claims he saw "no negative behaviour" in the ugly scenes which marred the first leg of the last eight tie despite United claiming their fans were on the receiving end of heavy-handed policing.
"To criticise the police is a sport. The British like to do it," claimed Serra. "The police were forced to intervene between two sets of violent fans.
"The stewards were literally swept aside and at that point the police were obliged to intervene.
"I was at the stadium and I saw no negative behaviour. Certainly when you are facing facts of this nature you can not hand out flowers, that much is clear."
UEFA is set to investigate the crowd disturbances at the Stadio Olimpico but in the aftermath of the match, United pre-empted the inquiry by releasing a statement condemning the behaviour of the local police.
"In what the club views as a serious over-reaction, local police handed out indiscriminate beatings to United supporters," read the club statement.
"The disturbing scenes shocked everyone at Old Trafford.
"In those circumstances, neither Manchester United nor AS Roma is able to call the police to account."
